Belle Meade Sour Mash Straight Bourbon

MGP, bottled by Belle Meade in TN 45.2%, 6-8 yrs Served neat in a norlan glass Color: amber Nose: sweet cherries, vanilla, caramel, maple syrup Palate: medium in mouthfeel, sweet on the tongue, with honey, black tea, and cherries, with a bit of alcohol bite Finish: medium, very soft with cinnamon, sweetness and oak Very well executed T8ke’s scale: 5, good, just fine

Smooth and balanced. A bit sweet with earthy depth.

I love the Reserve version of this one but when I went to get a new bottle, I discovered the price had gone from $53 to $70 in less than a year. Shouldn't be surprised since the comparable Smoke Wagon is only a bit more. So, I decided to try this version. It's made in ultra small batches of two different high rye bourbons of at least 6 years resulting in a 30% rye product. The color is a nice caramel. While the fragrance is a bit shy, I like the buttery caramel with a little spicy citrus in the background on the nose. It reminds me of a muted version of E T Lee back when I could get it. This one shines on the palate. Here comes an almost intense rich buttery caramel The spicy citrus has been replace with a touch of nutmeg apples in the background and that's not a bad thing. There's a thick mouth feel, almost chewy, mouth filling. The finish is long and complex, it's nutty and oaky with some leather and spice. Nice. In rating this at 3.75. I cut back .25 due to the shy nose. The Reserve is a little older and a nicely developed nose.

Lots of alcohol on the nose, hints of vanilla. Nice woody taste, little bit of pepper. Strong taste but not overall insane

Smooth and approachable. Slightly caramel but not too sweet. Enjoyable.